So there I was...
11 yrs old, already had my life planned out to be a carrier pilot. Went to an air show in Kearney NE, specifically to see the blue angels perform. I lived in Norfolk VA from 1 to 6 yrs old and remember the blue angels vividly at the annual air show. We were close enough to the base to see much of the show from the back yard.
So at this show was a static display A-7. WOW. Had a set of stairs leading up and a LT there in a flight suit answering questions. WOO HOO! Get to meet a real live carrier pilot, my living hero.
I climb up, I’m smitten, he rebuffs me. I TRY to ask intelligent questions, but hell, I’m 11, that wasn’t working, he continued to rebuff me. I left pretty disappointed, and remember thinking that if I were ever so lucky to get to be him, I’m not gonna be like that...
And I wasn’t, still not. To date I’ve flown well over 200 young eagles, the vast majority having never flown before. And dozens of adults who have never been up in a small plane. The most recent less than a week ago. I did get feedback from from one of my young eagles, it was a few years later and he had his PPL and aspirations of becoming a professional pilot.
Other than dropping bombs, giving those rides is my favorite thing to do in a plane.